Scraper



July 14, 1942. c. o. MASSEY 2,290,060

SCRAPER Filed Aug. 15, 1941 4 sheets -sheet 1 j I Fig.1:

July 14, 1942. c. o. MASSEY SCRAPER Filed Aug. 15-1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 C/arence 0 lfass y m flwimgv g f- Patented July 14, 1942 OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention relates to scrapers, and more particularly to mobile snow or ice scrapers adapted to be attached to trucks or tractors. However, scrapers embodying the invention may be used for other purposes, for example, the cleaning of garage and factory floors. Scrapers constructed in accordance with the invention can be adapted by suitable changes in size and relative dimensions for such other uses. The scraping or loosening of packed snow or ice is one of the most diiiicult tasks such a scraper may be called upon to perform, and for this reason a mobile scraper capable of loosening or dislodging snow or ice from streets and roadways has been selected as exemplifying a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Snow frequently is packed tightly by traiiic so rapidly that, by the time a snow plow or scoop is brought into action for clearing the street or road, it is difficult, if not impossible, to dislodge the packed snow which may actually have taken the form of ice. Apparatus embodying my invention is adapted for quickly and evenly loosening packed snow or ice on a street or roadway so as to condition it for easy removal by a plow, scoop, or the like. Often, unevenness of street or roadway surfaces or obstructions such as traffic markers make it difiicult to loosen or pick up packed snow or ice, because the operator of the apparatus usually has to raise the entire surface working equipment in order that it may clear or pass over the obstruction or unevenness. This results in leaving a substantial surface of the road or street unworked, so that, before the snow or ice may be removed, it is necessary for it to be loosened by picks or other hand tools.

An object of the present invention is to provide a snow or ice scraper equipped with a plurality of scraping units deployed across the line of travel of the scraping equipment, and so mounted that individual units may float vertically in conformance with relatively non-yielding surface portions or objects in the line of travel without its being necessary for the entire scraping equipment to move upwardly.

Another object is to provide a mobile snow or ice scraper including a plurality of scraper blade units deployed across the line of travel, and equalizing connections between the individually mounted units for yieldably opposing the raising of one or more of the units by the application of increased downward pressure of the other units upon the surface being scraped.

Another object is to provide a snow or ice scraper unit including a support, a scraper blade,

and means for detachably mounting the blade on the support so as to permit its easy removal for replacement.

A further object is to provide in a mobile snow or ice scraper of the character referred to an equalizer link so constructed as to be yieldably variable as to length. 7

A further object is to provide a scraper having an improved arrangement and mounting of scraper blade units capable of efficiently loosen ing or dislodging packed material from a surface over which the scraper is moved.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view showing the manner of attachment of a scraper embodying the invention to a motor truck, which may be of conventional design;

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the attachment of a scraper embodying the invention to a motor truck;

Figure 3 is a detailed view, in elevation, showing an equalizer link which is yieldably variable as to length;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 0- of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a scraper embodying the invention, this view being on a larger scale than Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is a section on the line ii3 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a detailed view, in elevation, showing a scraper blade locked in its attachment to a scraper blade support;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the scraper blade partially detached from its support;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9-0 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a central scraper unit and equalizing links connected thereto; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of a plurality of side scraper units and an equalizing link connected thereto,

The illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a snow or ice scraper generally desig nated A connected to an underfram B mounted on a truck C. The scraper A is provided with push-bars l equipped at their rear ends with extensions 2 secured to the push-bars l in adjusted position by bolts 3 projected through selected apertures 3 formed in the push-bars l. The rear ends of the extensions 2 are pivoted as at 4 to the truck underframe B. A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 5 carried by the truck frame is equipped with a piston (not shown) and piston rod 6 connected by chains 1 to the scraper A. By controlling the pressure behind the piston in the cylinder 5, through conventional means not shown, the operator may raise and lower the scraper A in its entiret about the pivots 4.

The scraper includes a frame D comprising a rear transverse member 8, rear side members or portions 9-9, converging outer forward side members or portions III-I6, and converging inner side members or portions III I. A transverse stiffening member I2 extends between the two members I I, and diagonal stiffening members I3 extend between each adjacent pair of converging members Ill and II. A central member I4 extends from the point of convergence of the two members I to the rear member 8, and a plurality of blade mounting cross bars I5 extends between each member II and the adjacent member Ii]. The frame may be constructed of any suitable material, angle irons being found entirely suitable for th purpose. The various frame members may be connected to one another in any approved manner, as by welding or rivetmg.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality of scraper blade units is mounted on the frame D in such a way that each unit can float individually without causing any one Of the other units to move to the same extent. Thus, if one of the blade units encounters a high point on the surface being scraped, it may mov up to ride over the obstruction or high pressure is maintained by connections extending to the other units. These connections are so arranged that the upward motion of the rising unit is divided among the connections extending to other units, so that no other one unit has to move downwardly an amount equal to the raising of the unit which has encountered the high point.

In the form shown in the drawings, three types of units are included: those designated E being mounted to the left of the central frame member I4, those designated generally E being mounted to the right of the central member I4, and one unit designated F being mounted at th center and leading end of the frame, Referring first to the construction of the units E, and having reference particularly to Figures 7, 8, 9, and 11, each unit comprises an inverted U-shaped blade support I6 and a blade generally designated II detachably connected to the support. The blade I1 is formed with a plurality of individual, separated teeth I9 on a shank I9 which has ears adapted to fit in between the legs of the U-shaped support I 6. The ears 20 are formed with horizontal slots 2| adapted to receive pins 22 secured to and extending between the legs of the support I6. As is shown in Figures '7 and 8, a blade I! may be attached to it support I6 by first passing the ears 20 upwardly between the legs of the U-shaped support so as to position the blade as shown in Figure 8, and then moving the blade rearwardly until the pins 22 are received in the slots 2|, as shown in Figure '7. In use, the blade moves in the direction of the arrow T, so that the working force tends to hold th blade attached to th support.

Preferably, means are provided for preventing the blades from becoming accidentally dislodged from their supports, as, for example, due to vibration when the equipment is being transported with the blades clear of the ground. A

point, but the scraping locking means found effective comprises a lug 23 on the rear end of the blade shank and a locking pin 24 mounted for vertical sliding movements on the blade support IS, a spring 25 urging the pin down in front of the lug 23 so as normally to prevent the blade from moving forwardly with respect to the support I6. The upper portion of the lug 23 may be inclined so as automatically to cam and raise the pin 24 when the blade is moved from the position shown in Figure 8 to the position shown in Figure 7, the pin dropping down in front of the lug 23 when the blade has been pushed home in its support. If the blade should require considerable forcing to bring it to the position shown in Figure 7, it may be desirable for th pin to be held up clear of the lug 23, and accordingly the pin is formed with a horizontal upper end portion 26 which may be rested upon a seat 21 on the blade support, as shown in Figure 8.

The blade teeth I8 are generally inclined with respect to the plane of the blade shank, being curved in cross section, as shown in Figure 9. The inclination of the teeth with respect to the blade shanks and the mounting of the scraper units is such that the forward or leading edge portions of the teeth I8 are substantially parall-el to the line of travel T, the remaining portions of the teeth being curved so as to extend toward the longitudinal center line of the entire scraper.

The construction of the scraper units E, disposed to the right of the central frame member I4, is the same as the construction of the members E described above, with the exception that the parts are reversed as to right and left hand. Consequently, no detailed description of th units E is believed to be necessary.

Referring now to the means for mounting the scraper units E for individual floating movement, and referring more particularly to Figure 11, each unit E is supported on the frame by a front pendant link 28 pivoted to a frame cross bar I5 as at 29 and pivoted to the blade support I6 as at 30, and a rear pendant link 3! pivoted to a frame cross bar I5 as at 32 and pivoted to the blade support I 6 as at 33. The supporting arrangement provides, in effect, a parallelogram linkage which permits the scraper unit including the support I6 and blade I! to swing rearwardly and upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 11 when an obstruction or high point is encountered on the surface being scraped.

The floating mounting of the units E is accomplished in the same manner as that described with reference to the units E, and further detailed description, therefore, is unnecessary.

The construction and mounting of the central unit F difiers slightly from the construction and mounting of the side units E and E. As shown in Figure 10, the unit F includes a V-shaped frame or support comprising a center plate 34 and inverted U-shaped side pieces 35. Each blade 36 has a shank 31 and teeth 38. Ears 39 on the blade shanks are adapted to be received slidably between the legs of the side pieces 35, and are formed with slots (not shown) cooperable with pins 40 for suspending the blades 36 on the respectively associated side pieces 35. The blades are provided with locking lugs 4I cooperable with pins 42 for preventing accidental displacement of the blades. Preferably, the pins 42 have their upper ends bent over and adapted to be received on rests or seats 43 fixed with respect to the side pieces 35.

For supporting the central unit F from the frame E, a pair of pendant front links 44 is pivoted as at 45 to the central frame member M, andis pivoted as at 46 to the center plate 35. Similarly, a pair of rear pendant links 41 is pivoted as at 48 to the frame member I4, and is pivoted as at 49 to the center plate 34. The arrangement is such that the central unit F can float vertically in the same manner as the units E and E.

By referring particularly to Figure 5, it will be seen that the units E, F, and E are arranged so as to overlap both transversely and longitudinally of the line of travel, whereby the entire surface traversed by the scraping equipment A is worked. The overlapping transversely of the line of travel is very slight, and may be so little as not to be apparent.

It is necessary, I

however, for best results, that the projection of all of the units upon a line transverse to the line of travel and at the rear of the scraper be unbroken. Overlapping of the units longitudinally of the line of travel is accomplished by mounting the individual units so that the leading edge of one unit is intermediate the leading and trailing edges of the next unit. Generally stated, the units are deployed along the sides of an imaginary isosceles triangle having its apex at the center and leading end of the scraper, and its base transverse to the line of travel and just in front of the rear frame member 8. It will be seen that the individual units 13, F, and E are inclined forwardly and inwardly toward the line of travel to an extent somewhat less than the inclination of the groups of units deployed along the sides of the triangle referred to.

As previously indicated, the several units E. F, and E are articulated by connections permitting the individual floating of one or more units, the amount of floating being controlled by the other units in such a way as to maintain equal blade pressures over the entire surface being scraped. For attachment to these connections, the front pendant link 28 of each of the units E is extended upwardly to form a Thus, the front pendant link of the rearmost unit E is extended upwardly to provide a rock arm m, the succeeding units, in their order from the rear to the front of the scraper, being provided with rock arms I52, Hi3, HM, H15, H15,- and NET, respectively. Similarly, the units E have rock arms H11, H32, H33, I04, I05, Hi6, and NH, respectively. The front pendant links 44 of the central unit F are extended upwardly to provide a rock arm I00.

On the left of the central frame member hi, the frame is provided with an upstanding bracket Pivoted as at Zili on this bracket is a main equalizing lever 2M. Pivoted as at 203 on one end of the lever 2G2 is an equalizing double-tree lever 23%. Pivoted as at Zil'i on one end of the lever 2% is an equalizing single-tree lever 2B8. Pivoted as at 259 on the double-tree lever 284 is a single-tree equalizing lever 2 lil. Pivoted as at 285 on the outer end of the main equalizing lever 202 is a double-tree equalizing lever 28%. Pivoted as at 2i i on the lever 265 is a single-tree equalizing lever 2 l2. Pivoted as at 2E3 on the lever 286 is a single-tree equalizing lever 2M.

The opposite ends of the lever 2% are connected, respectively, to the rock arms fill and H12 by links 3% and 3&2. Similarly, the opposite ends of the lever Eli are connected, respectively, to the rock arms W3 and Hi l by links 383 and 3534. The opposite ends of the lever 2H) are connected,

rock arm.

wardly. Their upward movement will be resisted to the rock arms I05 and 106 by 3% and 306. A link 30'! connects the outer end of the lever 208 to the rock arm I01, and a link 3538 connects the inner end of the lever 268 with a front equalizing lever 2l5 pivoted as at 2 It on an arm 2H. in turn pivoted as at 2l8 on the rock arm I99 of the central unit F. The units E disposed to the right of the central frame member [4 are connected to each other and to the central units F by means of equalizing connections similar to those described above with reference to the units E. Consequently, no detailed description of the equalizing connection directly associated with the units E is necessary. The several parts of the equalizing connections associated with the units E aredesignated by reference numerals the same as. those designating corresponding parts associated with the units E, with the exception that the reference numerals designating the connections associated with the units E are primed.

In operation, the hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanism 5-45 is raised or lowered so as to place the entire scraping mechanism at a level respectively, means of links just safely above the roadway or street underlying the snow or ice to be scraped or loosened. As the equipment moves forwardly, the leading edges of the multiplicity of teeth 33 will enter the packed snow or ice in substantially a straight line so as to effect an initial loosening, the curved or inclined remaining portions of the teeth de fleeting the loosened snow or ice laterally toward the center line of travel. Should the equipment encounter an obstruction such as a traffic button or silent policeman, which would affect the travel of only one or possibly two of the blade units, these affected units may yield, moving upby the exertion of increased downward pressure on other units in such a way that the downward pressure and hence the scraping effort exerted by all of the units will be practically uniform. Similarly, an individual blade unit or several units passing over a declivity will be moved downwardly so as effectively to loosen the packed snow or ice with the same working pressure as is 1 exerted by other units working over the level part of the surface being scraped.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a link construction which increases the flexibility of the articulating connections between the units, and is adapted to prolong the life of the equipment by absorbing shocks. The link generally designated 301 is shown as comprising two aligned sections 391 and 3M". The section 367* is formed integrally with or may have attached to one of its ends a cylinder or tube 389 which extends into a cylinder or tube 3H1, the two cylinders being held against separation by bolts 3!! passing through plates 3l2 respectively fixed to the section 307* and the outer end of the cylinder 388. The link section 3511' passes freely through the Plate M3 and the adjacent end of the cylinder 3H1, projecting into the cylinders 339 and 35 l. The end of the section 3B7 housed by the cylinders is formed with a head 3M providing a seat for one end of a spring 3E5 the other end of which bears against the end of the cylinder 3H3. When a pull is exerted on one end of the link Sill, the section 301 can move away from the section 391 being yieldably resisted in its movement by the spring 3H3. Preferably, the equalizing links connected to the several units are constructed as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to provide the desired yielding characteristics, but good results may be obtained by employing the yieldable link construction in direct connection with only selected units distributed throughout the whole construction.

The construction shown and described herein embodies the invention in the now preferred form, but it will be understood that various changes may be made in the construction, relative dimensions, and, to some extent, the relative disposition of the parts without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a mobile scraper, a frame; a plurality of scraper blade units deployed across the line of travel; and means mounting said units on said frame individually for vertical floating movement in conformance with relatively nonyielding surface portions encountered by the scraper, certain of said blade units each comprising a plurality of teeth individually disposed generally at an angle to the line of travel, said teeth being curved in horizontal cross section with their leading edge portions being substantially parallel to the line of travel for facilitating initial entry into and loosening of material to be scraped, the remaining portions of said teeth being turned laterally to deflect loosened material laterally.

2. In a mobile scraper, a frame; a plurality of scraper blade units deployed across the line of travel; means mounting said units on said frame individually for vertical floating movement in conformance with relatively non-yielding surface portions encountered by the scraper; and equalizing connections between the individually mounted units for yieldably opposing raising of a unit which has encountered such a surface portion by the application of increased downward pressure of other of said units upon the surface being scraped.

3. Construction as set forth in claim 2 and in which equalizing connections between two adjacent blade units comprise a single-tree lever and means including links connecting opposite ends of the lever to said units, equalizing connections between adjacent pairs of units comprising a double-tree lever pivoted at its center to a part carried by the frame, and pivoted at its opposite ends, respectively, to the single trees associated with said pairs of units.

4. Construction as set forth in claim 2 and in which equalizing connections between blade units comprise links yieldably variable as to length.

5. In a mobile scraper, a frame; a plurality of scraper blade units mounted thereon for vertical floating movements, said units being disposed substantially on the sides of an isosceles triangle the base of which is transverse to the line of travel and the apex of which is substantially at the longitudinal center and leading end of the frame, the groups of units along said triangle sides being thus inclined forwardly and inwardly with respect to the center line of travel, and equalizing connections between said blade units comprising links connected to adjacent units, equalizing bars to which adjacent links are connected, and further equalizing bars to which said first-named equalizing bars are connected.

6. In a mobile scraper, a frame; and a plurality of scraper blade units mounted on said frame and deployed across the line of travel in mutually overlapping relation transversely of said line of travel, certain of said blade units each comprising a plurality of teeth individually disposed generally at an angle to the line of travel, said teeth being curved in horizontal cross section with their leading edge portions being substantially parallel to the line of travel for facilitating initial entry into and loosening of material to be scraped, the remaining portions of said teeth being turned laterally to deflect loosened material laterally.

7. In a mobile scraper, a frame; and a plurality of scraper blade units mounted on said frame and deployed across the line of travel in mutually overlapping relation transversely of said line of travel and longitudinally of said line of travel, each of said blade units being inclined with respect to the line of travel with the leading ends of certain of said units being disposed in-- termediate the leading and trailing ends of a next adjacent unit, certain of said blade units each comprising a plurality of teeth individually disposed generally at an angle to the line of travel, said teeth being curved in horizontal cross section with their leading edge portions being substantially parallel to the line of travel for facilitating initial entry into and loosening of material to be scraped, the remaining portions of said teeth being turned laterally to deflect loosened material laterally.

8. In a mobile scraper, a frame; and a plurality of scraper blade units mounted on said frame and being deployed across the line of travel, individual blade units being inclined with respect to the line of travel with the leading ends of certain of said units being disposed intermediate the leading and trailing ends of adjacent units, certain of said blade units each comprising a plurality of teeth individually disposed generally at an angle to the line of travel, said teeth being curved in horizontal cross section with their leading edge portions being substantially parallel to the line of travel for facilitating initial entry into and loosening of material to be scraped, the remaining portions of said teeth being turned laterally to deflect loosened material laterally.

9. Construction as set forth in claim 8 and in which said units are disposed substantially on the sides of an isosceles triangle the base of which extends across the trailing end of the frame and the apex of which is at the longitudinal center and leading end of the frame.

10. Construction as set forth in claim 8 and in which the spacing of said blade units across the line of travel is such that the projection of said units transversely to the line of travel is a substantially unbroken line.

11. In a mobile scraper, a, frame; and a pluralit of scraper blade units mounted thereon, said units being disposed substantially on the sides of an isosceles triangle the base of which is transverse to the line of travel and the apex of which is substantially at the longitudinal center and leading end of the frame, the groups of units along said triangle sides being thus inclined forwardly and inwardly with respect to the center line of travel, individual units also being inclined forwardly and inwardly but at a lesser angle than said groups of units.

12. In a scraper, a frame; a plurality of scraper blade units deployed across the line of scraping movement; means mounting said units on said frame individually for vertical floating movement in conformance with relatively non-yielding surface portions encountered by the scraper; and equalizing connections between the individually mounted units for yieldably opposing raising of a unit which has encountered such a surface portion by the application of increased downward pressure of other of said units upon the surface being scraped.

13. In a scraper, a frame; a plurality of scraper blade units mounted thereon for vertical floating movements, said units being disposed substantially on the sides of an isosceles triangle the base of which is transverse to the line of scraping movement and the apex of which is substantially at the longitudinal center and leading end of the frame, the groups of units along said triangle sides being thus inclined forwardly and inwardly with respect to the center line of scraping movement, and equalizing connections between said blade units comprising links connected to adjacent units, equalizing bars towhich adjacent links are connected, and further equalizing bars to which said first-named equalizing bars are connected.

14. In a scraper, a frame; and a plurality of scraper blade units mounted thereon, said units being disposed substantially on the sides of an isosceles triangle the base of which is transverse to the line of scraping movement and the apex of which is substantially at the longitudinal center and leading end of the frame, the groups of units along said triangle sides being thus inclined forwardly and inwardly with respect to the center line of scraping movement, individual units also being inclined forwardly and inwardly but at a lesser angle than said groups of units.

15. In a mobile scraper, a frame; and a plurality of scraper blade units mounted on said frame and being deployed across the line of travel, individual blade units being inclined with respect to the line of travel with the leading ends of certain of said units being disposed intermediate the leading and trailing ends of adjacent units, the individual blade units each comprising a plurality of teeth having their leading edge portions substantially parallel to the line: of travel and their remaining portions turned inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of travel.

CLARENCE O. MASSEY. 

